Comments on: Backcountry Skiing News Roundup

By: Lou

Lou — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:07:06 +0000

I’ve wondered the same thing. Been told it’s because the race is more expensive to produce. More shelter is required, the ski mountain has to have patrol working all night long, etc. etc., but it does seem kind of steep. I didn’t notice if there were any cash prizes, if so then that’s part of it as well… perhaps Mike can chime in here…

By: g woelk

g woelk — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:43:08 +0000

Mark:

Out of curiosity, why is the solo class (at $300.00) so expensive. (I understand you have to be self supported with food, etc. as well.) I would like to do, but $300.00 is fairly stiff, particularly when compared to other endurance type races. Is there something I am missing here?

By: Mike Marolt

Mike Marolt — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 16:39:18 +0000

Lou: I am working with the race coordinator to see what can be done with the gear classes. More on that later. But I don’t think there is that much difference between the two runs as far as the up goes. But on the descent, with no uphill traffic, guys will really be able to fly. If only for the descent, it will make the race a ski race on par with last year. I do think it will make it a better race for snow shoeing which I hope generates more racers. As for the issue of runners, I only saw one or two last year, so not sure how much of an issue that is. If someone wants to go out and run up and down, and up and down, better them than me. Please come out runners! I think you feel the same way, the skiing aspect to that race was a complete blast. It is significantly more fun than a 24 hour bike race in that the up vs the down with skis really mixes it up. Plus, the skiing is a challenge on the AT gear, at night, and after many hours. So it kind of keeps it fresh. I do think a good xc skier could really do well at this venue, but so far, this is a ski race, heel locked, pure and simple. I do want to encourage the telemarkers to get to this and prove their point. I know some tele skiers that could really push this but if you don’t show up, you can’t win.

My prediction is that this will be dominated by AT equipment, and the difference of the uphill portion is due to safety much more than anything else. Greg mentioned to me that that one steep section last year really messed up the pace, and without it, he thinks he could have possibly done even more verts. So the new course smooths that out for the better. But expect more of the same as last year with the added safety of separate up vs down.

In any event, we are looking for a large crowd so my advice to people is get to the web site, get signed up sooner than later, and start training. Feb is right around the corner. And see you out there. This is a super personal challenge, a ton of fun, and one of if not the best endurance events i have ever participated in. The concept has definitely exceeded my original expectations!

Mike Marolt

By: Lou

Lou — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 01:11:58 +0000

I agree, I just think it’s more fun if there are at least some sort of gear classes for this sort of thing, especially if the course favors something over another. Of course it could snow that time of year for 20 hours straight and be post holing for the booter crowd. That would be fun, he he he.

Scott, if you do it on teles then get some with the touring pivot with lighter tele boots and lighter skis and that setup would work pretty good for the race.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:58:50 +0000

If Bernie can keep up the running/hiking/snowshoeing for 24 hours, then I don’t care if the course seems to favor guys like him, it would just be cool to watch him do it! It’s a lot harder to run down those things than ski it, at least in my experience. I hope he does it this year! And I hope to try my hand at it this year, but I’ll be on teles or maybe some randonnee if I ever make up my mind what to get. Sounds like Dynafits are a no brainer though.